Kelly Clarkson knows a thing or two about music competitions. After all, she was the first “American Idol” winner, not to mention one of the most successful.

Now she’s spreading that competitive spirit and shedding light on the importance of music in schools. Clarkson has teamed up with DoSomething.org to promote Battle for the Bands, a competition to demonstrate the importance of music education.

Battle for the Bands kicks off on March 1st and runs through April 12th. During that time, students can submit an “original music video, parody music video or spoken word video explaining why music education is worth fighting for” and upload it at DoSomething, where it will be open to voting (through April 26).

The 10 videos with the most votes will then be screened by music executives and awarded prizes, such as concert tickets and money for the students’ schools.

Clarkson credits the success of her career to her school’s emphasis on music education, and genuinely wants to protect it in schools.

“Every year, music programs are cut from schools all around the country. But if music hadn’t been so important in my school, I probably wouldn’t be standing here right now. Join DoSomething.org and the Vh1 Save the Music Foundation and Battle for the Bands. Make a video about why music is so important to you, and we’ll share it with Washington, D.C. bigwigs so no one messes with your school’s music budget,” she says in the video.

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About China DeSpain

China DeSpain is a San Antonio-based writer and blogger. She loves pop culture, animal rights, health and fitness, international travel, books and wigs. Follow China on Twitter: @ChinaDeSpain